Advances In Precision Motion & Control / Automation

Miniature motors make for smaller positioners

Size matters in miniaturization and automation – smaller is usually better. Traditional electromagnetic motors have limitations when it comes to shrinking dimensions while maintaining high efficiency and accuracy of motion with minimized energy consumption. Piezo ceramic inertia motors can fill this gap. 

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Free advice can save you time

A broad spectrum of drive and control technologies can combined into a state-of-the-art engineered motion system with higher accuracy and throughput than traditionally possible for photonics, robotics, microscopy, and precision industrial automation applications. 

Article    Application examples


Air bearings myths and FAQ’s

Unlike mechanical bearings, air bearings free of wear and friction. The article answers questions on when to use air bearings and when to go with mechanical or flexure bearings.

FAQs    Myths    Scanning Performance    Satellite Testing    Rotary Air Bearings


Overview of different types of precision motorized systems

Motion drive and control technologies are advancing rapidly, giving engineers access to an expanding spectrum of options to leverage previously unattainable performance and form factors. 

Article


Hexapod robots in automation applications

As the precision requirements in the automotive industry are increasing, the need for advanced robotics arises. Traditional robots are fast, can handle heavy loads, but lack positioning accuracy. Hexapod robots have a long history in precision alignment & micro-manufacturing automation, but were considered too precise for the automotive industry. The situation is rapidly changing. 

Hexapods robots in automotives    Hexapod FAQs


Advances in piezo mechanics aid eye surgery

Piezo motion-based mechanisms provide a variety of features that are highly sought after in life-science and medical engineering applications, such sterile ceramic designs and lubricant-free drives. Ceramics are also non-magnetic, an advantage in high-energy imaging/scanning based on strong magnetic fields. 

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Parallel Kinematic Machines (PKM’s)

PKM’s are often referred to as Stewart Platforms. Based on a 6-axis (XYZ, Pitch, Roll, Yaw) actuator system arranged in parallel between a top and bottom platform, PKM’s have many advantages over serial kinematics designs, such as lower inertia, improved dynamics, smaller package size and higher stiffness. 

Details    Video


Piezo nanopositioning basics – precision, speed, stability

There are several ways to achieve nanometer precision motion.The best positioning systems avoid friction all together, in both the drive system (motor) and in the guiding system (bearings). Piezo drives provide much more than just nanometer resolution. 

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Products

1,000s of products for your application. From objective scanners and value packages for microscopy, to miniature steering mirrors for AFM to free-space-optical communication systems. Fully customized OEM solutions too. 

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More Videos

Because pictures are better than words, watch how a piezo ratchet mechanism works, how XY air bearings work, and the principles of 12-axis silicon automation photonics alignment. 

Videos